What is Carpet Re-stretching

Re-stretching is a carpet restoration service offered by many carpet suppliers. It is done by removing the carpet from the subfloor and then straightening the material out using a power stretcher. The aim is to re-introduce tension to the carpet so that any bumps on the surface are flattened out. The excess material on the edges is then trimmed and the carpet is secured with new tack strips.

But, is it worth re-stretching your carpet? It seems like a lot of effort for something as trivial as a wrinkle on the floor. However, there are several benefits in restoring your old carpet.

So, let’s have a look at three reasons you should consider getting your carpet re-stretched.

1. Improved safety

The small wrinkles on your carpet might seem harmless at first. However, as the carpet endures more foot traffic, it will begin to wrinkle even more, creating large, unsightly bumps on the surface. Eventually, those large wrinkles will become a serious tripping hazard for everyone in the house.

Wrinkling is most often caused by improper installation. When a carpet is installed, it needs to be tucked in at the edges and then stretched. Unfortunately, there are carpet installers who skip the stretching step, leaving the carpet with not enough tension.

Poorly executed DIY modifications are also another common cause. For example, if you want to run an ethernet or speaker cable along the edges of your floor, you’re going to have to lift the edge of the carpet. If this is improperly done, it could cause the carpet to lose tension and subsequently buckle.

By getting the carpet professional re-stretched, you’ll be able to get back that lost tension and iron out those wrinkles.

2. Makes your carpet easier to clean

If you don’t take care of those wrinkles, dust and dirt will begin to gather between the wrinkles. Since the carpet is loose and uneven, you’ll also find that it’s quite difficult to vacuum and clean.

To make matters worse, anyone walking across the carpet will kick all those contaminants into the air. If you have allergies or other respiratory issues, this decline in air quality can be a major problem. The elderly and children are also particularly vulnerable to these contaminants, sometimes causing headaches, drowsiness, loss of focus, or exacerbation of existing conditions like asthma or chronic bronchitis.

Additionally, abrasive debris on the carpet can also accelerate the deterioration of the fabric. If this happens, you’ll likely have to buy a new carpet after just a couple of years.

Fortunately, by keeping your carpet stretched, you’ll be able to vacuum and clean the surface properly. This prevents too many contaminants from gathering on the surface. By doing this, not only are you protecting your own health, but you’re also increasing the lifespan of your carpet.

3. Enhances visual appeal

A re-stretched carpet can enhance the look of your living space significantly. It makes the floor look smooth and uniform and it allows the colour to really pop out. On the contrary, if you have a buckled carpet, the wrinkles will create shadows on the surface, which can distract from the other appealing parts of your living space.
So, if you want your home to look sleek and smooth, then you might want to consider re-stretching your carpet.

Hopefully, this list has convinced you of the benefits of carpet re-stretching. When you see small wrinkles forming on the carpet’s surface, it’s easy to just dismiss it as a minor problem. However, if it’s ignored for a long period of time, it could become a bigger issue in the future.

If you believe that you can benefit from carpet re-stretching or just general carpet cleaning, be sure to get in contact with your local carpet supplier.